MR W. J. JORDAN

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26553, 16 October 1951, Page 3

MR W. J. JORDAN

CIVIC RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON

SERVICE IN LONDON PRAISED

(New Zealand Press' Association) WELLINGTON. October 15, “No man has represented New Zealand in Great Britain more worthily, or gathered to himself more friends and intimates,” said the Mayor of Wellington (Mr R. L. Macalister) at a civic reception to-day to Mr W. J. Jordan, the former High Commissioner in London. “It can be said for him that he is the personal friend of kings, princes, and commoners alike. It is indeed of few that this can be said.” For 15 years, he added, Mr Jordan had filled his London post with sincerity, simple dignity, and personal charm, which had made him the great man he was to-day. There were only a few hundred people at the reception. The gathering included the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr K. J. Holyoake) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash). Mr Holyoake said that Mr Jordan had become a real institution in London. The basis of his popularity was his sense of humanity. The Government and the people of New Zealand were proud of him. The suggestion that Mr Jordan should be attached to Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to New Zealand next year was made by Mr Nash. No one who had represented New Zealand in London had ever been more closely attached to the Royal Family than Mr Jordan, said Mr Nash. 6

He recalled how on one occasion Mr Jordan had spent some time teaching Princess Elizabeth the right words to say in Maori at a particular function she was to address.

"No man has done more to bring New Zealand to the attention of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh than Mr Jordan,” Mr Nash said. “And no man would be better fitted to introduce them to New Zealand than Mr Jordan.”

In reply, Mr Jordan said there was no easier job than to represent New Zealand in Britain. “Everywhere you •go. there is a welcome to the representative of New Zealand, not just for Jordan” he said. “It’s because of the doings of the servicemen and people who have been there.” New Zealand had a good name not only for its people but also for its produce. In conclusion. Mr Jordan said he would probably make his home at Auckland. ,